Alphabetical Plant Listing

Pretty Flowering Cherry Trees for Your Garden

Japanese Flowering Cherries, Sakura, Cherry Blossom


Among the most popular and spectacular spring-flowering trees, flowering cherries with their frothy masses of pink or white blossoms usually signal the end of winter and reveal the first blush of spring. These ornamental cherry trees are not grown for edible fruit. While some of them produce purple-black pea-size fruits, they are inedible and appeal only to a wide variety of birds including robins, cardinals, and waxwings.

Although ornamental cherry trees are typically planted for the majestic yet delicate beauty of their flowers, many varieties are noted for their multi-season interest. Some display wonderful fall colors, with their foliage turning brilliant shades of gold, red, or orange. Others feature fascinating bark, exfoliating or peeling or shining like silk, adding a welcomed splash of color in the winter garden.

The cherry blossom (sakura) is Japan's unofficial national flower. Celebrated for centuries, it is esteemed as the most beautiful and important of flowers in Japanese culture. In spring, during the blossom-viewing season called Hanami, flowering cherries are celebrated with huge festivals, parties, and family picnics wherever the cherries grow.

The term “flowering cherry” refers to seven species of Prunus (Prunus campanulata, P. incisa, P. jamasakura, P. serrulata, P. sargentii, P. spachiana (syn. subhirtella), and P. speciosa) and their cultivars. These flowering cherries come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes and several are excellent additions to the garden. All are incredibly beautiful.

Guide Information

Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Prunus - Flowering Trees
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden
Compare All Prunus - Flowering Trees Great Plant Combination Ideas with Prunus - Flowering Trees Guides with Prunus - Flowering Trees

paylessimages / 123RF Stock Photo

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Plant Type Trees
Plant Family Prunus - Flowering Trees
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Japanese Garden, Traditional Garden
Compare All Prunus - Flowering Trees Great Plant Combination Ideas with Prunus - Flowering Trees Guides with Prunus - Flowering Trees

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